Club hopes to open teen center

Friday

Jun 14, 2013 at 12:01 AMJun 14, 2013 at 1:07 PM

The Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County has served countless children over decades at its Sumter Street location. Now, the agency wants to change the lives of teens the same way it has impacted children.

Matthew Tessnear / mtessnear@shelbystar.com

For 45 years, children have visited daily for homework help, life lessons and physical wellness programs.

The Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County has served countless children over decades at its Sumter Street location.

Now, the agency wants to change the lives of teens the same way it has impacted children.

BGCA hopes to partner with Cleveland County Schools to create a teen center at the new Turning Point Academy site in the old Shelby Middle School building off Marion Street in Shelby.

The center would be a place for teens in grades 7-12 to gather for educational activities, physical exercise and to plan their futures after they finish high school, said Jack Weller, president of the BGCA board of directors.

“I know some of these things will already be at Turning Point,” Weller said, referring to the alternative school that held its graduation earlier this week. “But allowing them to continue from 3-7 in the evenings is the goal. There is a need for teens, and we’d like to partner with Cleveland County Schools to develop a center to serve another 100-120 kids.”

School support

School leaders voiced their approval after Weller asked for their support this week.

“I think it’s a fabulous idea to support our youth,” said school board member Kathy Falls.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Bruce Boyles said he is not aware of a program that serves teens “of the scope and size” of the BGCA-proposed teen center.

“We will work with our attorneys and representatives of the Boys and Girls Club board to outline an agreement that both boards can consider,” Boyles said.

Weller said local Boys & Girls Club leaders visited a Rock Hill, S.C. alternative school that operates a similar teen center to the proposed Cleveland County program. Every child there gets help with academics, health and planning toward their future.

“I think you know no one is more enthusiastic about an organization and youth in the county than Jack Weller with the Boys & Girls Club,” Boyles told school leaders Monday night.

Weller said BGCA leaders hope supporters who helped get the local children’s club started in the 1960s will also support the proposed teen center.

Reach Matthew Tessnear at 704-669-3331, at mtessnear@shelbystar.com or on Twitter @MatthewTessnear.

Needs

Cleveland County Schools dropouts by year

2007-08 – 376

2008-09 – 323

2009-10 – 258

2010-11 – 250

2011-12 – 180

Source: N.C. Department of Public Instruction

Local Boys & Girls Club President Jack Weller presented these national statistics to the school board Monday:

* 3-7 p.m. – Juvenile crime escalates

* 1 of 5 young people lives in poverty

* 4 million children participate in 4,000 clubs nationwide

* 3 of 10 children won’t graduate on time

* 90 percent of Boys & Girls Club alumni graduate

* 3 of 10 children are obese or overweight

* 80 percent of club alumni said it had a positive impact on their health

Services

* The Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County has operated since 1967.

* Average daily attendance is 90 children ages 1-12.

* 80 percent of those children come from single-parent homes.

* 78 percent of those children participate in free and reduced lunch programs.

Plans

What are the plans for the teen center?

* Proposal locates it at Turning Point Academy in old Shelby Middle School building off Marion Street

* Boys & Girls Club leaders said $300,000 is a fundraising goal to make physical changes at the facility and implement the center, with support from the schools.

* BGCA and the school system are now reviewing plans to collaborate on the center.

Want to help or more information?

Visit www.bgcClevelandCounty.org or call 704-482-3258.

What they’re saying:

The Star asked its Facebook fans if they would support a new teen center. Here’s a sample of the response. To join the conversation, “like” The Shelby Star on Facebook.

“That is an amazing idea! I plan on keeping my children very busy, so hopefully they will stay out of trouble. Also the sad thing is I think my children will surpass my knowledge by fifth grade and will need some extra help! They have added so much more in the 12 years since I went! I applaud the idea!”